Programme 2025

February 4th      RNLI   saving lives at sea  

Dave Parry takes us through his work and experiences  as Helm and  Mechanic  at Whitstable Lifeboat Station.

 March 4th     one lane two parishes    

Carol Davis shares her research on Herne’s Braggs Lane, situated on the edge of Blean Woods in both parishes of Chislet and Herne; including its inhabitants and their livelihoods.

April 1st   MAISON DIEU DOVER   

Heritage and Learning Officer Martin Crowther presents an illustrated talk about the restoration of today’s Dover Town Hall - once a place of refuge for pilgrims and destitute soldiers.

May 6th    Herne’s  bloomin  vicars

Margaret Burns introduces two of Herne’s past clergy well known for their Rose Growing horticultural  prize winning achievements.

June 3rd   the Cinque ports  

We welcome Len Howell and his illustrated talk on the Cinque Ports, formed in the 11th century as a group of important trading and defence ports along our South East coast.

July 1st  Outside Visit 

GUIDED TOUR of ST PETER’S CHURCH WHITSTABLE

“Those with eyes - and the mind to seek it out will find an unexpected Architectural Treasure, a Small Oasis of Calm and Beauty tucked away from the hurly-burly of twenty-first century life…..” by HISTORIAN Dr David Wright MA, PhD, FSG.

Meeting starts 2.00 pm Followed by Refreshments

“St Peter’s church has origins in the 1870s as a chapel-of-ease to minister to those living near the harbour…” 

Tickets £6. per person now available at meetings 

September 2nd  MY TRIP ALONG THE STOUR   

One time Blean Woods Warden, Michael Walter takes us on an ‘armchair walk’ to discover wildlife and nature’s sights along the riverbank.

October 7th How The Great War Changed Kent 

With Remembrance Day in mind, Military Historian Dr Martin Watts explores the connections between Kent and the armed forces and its influences on our county.

 November 4th Films from our archives

Plus our AGM

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For more information contact Sylvia McKean 01227 281257 smckean22@tiscali.co.uk - the Group’s website Herne and Broomfield Local History, or find us on Facebook

Programme 2024

February 6th  FOUNDING AMERICA - An illustrated presentation by Heritage and Learning Officer Martin Crowther on Cushman of Canterbury and the Mayflower Story 

March 5th  The Railway & Friendly Convalescent Homes Beltinge – Railway Historian Mark Jones looks at the philanthropic work of John Passmore Edwards 

A MEETING NOT TO BE MISSED

This year commemorates 80 years of the D-Day Normandy Landings in 1944

May 7th  Operation Fortitude - The Secret Success of D Day Illustrated talk by Len Howell; Part of the successful Military Deception Strategy by the Allied Army prior to the D-Day Normandy Landings on June 6th 1944

June 4th   Sheppey WW1 Royal Naval Air Station Martin and Rosemary Hawkins from Eastchurch Aviation Museum look at the History of this important site in the First World W 

September 3rd   The Work of the Herne Bay Seaside Museum Trust

Claire Goodwin will talk about the work of the Herne Bay Seaside Museum,

October 1st   History of your Village through Photographs, Documents and Ephemera - A History Group Presentation using Group Archives

N.B. This meeting will be held in the Herne Community Centre, School Lane, not the Church Hall

November 5th AGM, plus a fascinating presentation

The AGM, with the reselection of the Committee members and any new candidates, followed by a talk by Mark Harrison, FCA. The subject of the talk is Nelson and The East Swale Squadron.

December 3rd  Christmas Meeting, with a film of past Herne Bay

An informal meeting. Bring your own biscuits and mince pies, etc,

Memories of Yesteryear: A selection of film images of Herne and Herne Bay in the 1970s.